Anatomic Abnormalities in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

Both muscular hypotonia and anatomic abnormalities have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The upper airways of 25 patients with OSAS were evaluated to determine potential sites of obstruction. Significant airway compromise was found in all patients with some patients having multiple sites of airway narrowing.